Kelvin Hall hosts 2014 warm-up

Published 10 February, 2009

Harry Tattersall Smith

Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall played host to the Aviva International Athletics championships. It was a heartening performance from the British contingent following a wholly disappointing display on the track in Beijing.

The weekend belonged to Mo Farah, the perennial underachiever who finally lived up to his potential by shattering the long standing UK indoor 3000m by 0.10 seconds, coming home in a time of 7 minutes 40.99 seconds. Farah, who has spent the winter training in Kenya, looked sensational as he strolled to victory, in a performance that he will hope can propel him to a successful season, as he at last seems to be offering the form that can see him compete for the major championships. The weekend also saw young British hopeful Craig Pickering pick up victory in the 60m, against the ever-controversial Dwain Chambers in a much hyped clash.

There was a moment of redemption for American Lolo Ferrari in the 60m hurdles. The US runner looked set to claim Olympic gold, yet a stumble at the final hurdle in the Birds Nest, saw glory cruelly snatched away. This season she is very much out to prove herself, and at Kelvinhall she destroyed her opposition, with a time of 7.95 seconds.

Success from Scottish perspective was limited to Susan Scott, whose comfortable victory in the women’s 1500m strengthed her position as team GB’s premier distance runner.

There were more positives for Scottish Athletics, as local sprint favourite Nick Smith secured qualification for the European Indoor Championships, with a superb lifetime best equalling, of 6.63 seconds, in the mens 60m. As Glasgow gears up to hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the championships at Kelvinhall have again reiterated the city’s ability to successfully host showcase events.

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